I’m writing this at the end of “Better Hearing Month”. Since 1958, May has been designated as “Better Hearing Month”. It was created to help raise awareness about communication disorders and the role that audiologists (and speech pathologists) play in providing assessment and treatment.
Now, I’m not one for “Hallmark Holidays”. Shouldn’t we always strive to show and tell the people in our lives about how we care and respect them? Same goes for “Awareness” Months. I wish there was always more awareness, but I know we need to do more to help draw attention to the importance of healthy hearing and the audiologist’s critical role in it. So for the past month, we’ve been using our platforms even more to encourage ‘Healthy Hearing’ for all ages.
As my patients and long time readers can attest, I’m constantly trying to raise awareness about the importance of good hearing health. From prevention of hearing loss through consistent use of good hearing protection, to the critical importance of early identification and treatment of hearing loss with hearing aids, educating patients guides and informs our audiological care. It stands to reason folks are more inclined to prioritize healthy hearing if they understand why it’s so important.
And over the last few years, I sense a change in the winds. We’re doing a better job at helping people to understand the ‘why’. Patients are coming in earlier in the progression of their hearing loss. I see more news and popular media articles/stories about noise as a significant health risk, hearing loss prevention/hearing protection, untreated hearing loss and its correlation to cognitive impairment, etc. The more we chip away at the ‘why’, helping folks to understand that healthy hearing is important for all ages, the less stigmatized it becomes. And, unfortunately, stigma still plays a significant role in the staggeringly low rate of hearing aid usage, even though hearing aids are literally the only treatment available! When I was growing up, there was still a stigma about wearing glasses! Today, they are literally a fashion statement.
So while the numbers indicate we still have more work to do regarding lifelong healthy hearing, we are moving in the right direction. According to the latest Hearing Industry Association MarkeTrak X (2022) study, the average age of first time purchasers of hearing aids is now 60 years, down from 66.9 years when first tracked (MarkeTrak I, 1989). In 1989, the data suggested that people who wear hearing instruments were perceived to be less competent, less attractive, less youthful, and more disabled. Current data indicates hearing aid owners rarely or never feel embarrassed or rejected, which is huge! And just today, I read an article with the title “Are earplugs becoming the hottest accessory of summer?” about Gen Z Tik Tokers and Instagrammers posting about their hearing protection as, wait for it… a fashion accessory as they head to summer music festivals!
So we’re moving in the right direction, and all of you have a part to play too. As they say, if you see something, say something.
If you know of someone who hasn’t taken that first step to addressing their hearing issues, or someone who’s not protecting their ears, show you care by encouraging them towards healthier hearing.
And please continue to show you love your community by supporting our local community businesses and remembering the humanity of those around you.
